Authenticating Ministry

2 Corinthians: Authenticate Ministry

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians 12:11–21 ESV

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

1. Introduction – In today’s passage we come to the conclusion of Paul’s foolish speech.

a. If you’ll recall from a few weeks ago, Paul has been forced by the Corinthians to indulge in a little boasting. Although in his boasting he wrote about his perilous journeys, his arrests and beatings and his shipwrecks.

i. And even when Paul did write about an ecstatic spiritual experience, he wrote as if it was someone else’s experience.

1. And he wrote that God gave him a thorn in the flesh so he wouldn’t boast about his experience.

b. In today’s passage, Paul continues his defense of his ministry.

i. He takes the Corinthians to task for forcing his hand…forcing him to boast.

1. He tells them that real, authentic apostolic ministry took place in their presence.

a. Signs, wonders and mighty acts authenticated Paul’s words.

i. Paul also writes about the sacrifices he made in order to preach the gospel to the Corinthians.

1. But he also lists his fears as his 3rd visit approaches.

c. So here’s how this passage breaks down and what we’ll look at today.

i. Paul is writing about the authenticity of his ministry – so he points to how he ministered among the Corinthians. That’s vv.11-12

1. In vv.13-18, Paul writes about the sacrificial life he lived in order to be a true minister of the gospel.

a. In vv.20-21, Paul lists some of his fears concerning the Corinthians.

i. And in v.19, the last verse we’ll look at this morning, Paul gives a purpose statement.

1. The purpose of his foolish speech and really, the purpose of 2nd Corinthians as a whole.

ii. Hear God’s Word – 2 Corinthians 12:11-21.

2. Authentication by Signs – So Paul, still proving the authenticity of his ministry…but before he points to the proof…first he rebukes the Corinthians.

a. In v.11, he writes “I have been a fool…you forced me to do it!”

i. He’s referring to the foolish boasting he just wrote. Paul was upset that he had to resort to this because the Corinthians should have defended and stuck up for Paul when his ministry came under attack.

1. Remember back at the beginning of chapter 3, Paul wrote about letters of commendation.

a. In the ancient world, itinerant preachers would carry these letters around – flaunting their credentials and career accomplishments.

i. They were trying to prove they were big shots by carrying these letters.

ii. Well Paul carried no such letters with him – he wrote to the Corinthians – “You are our letter of commendation.

1. The fact that you came to Chris through our ministry – that’s enough proof in and of itself of the authenticity of our ministry.

a. And here in 12:11-12, Paul returns to this theme of commendation and he ties it to his foolish speech.

b. He knew his audience well. He knew that the Corinthians loved power and displays of power – they liked and honoured credentials.

i. They were drawn to the false teachers because they were showy, flashy, charismatic and eloquent…all things Paul wasn’t – at least not to the degree of his opponents.

1. Paul knew the only way to win their attention and win them back to Jesus was to boast a little…he did it and he hated it.

a. And now he tells the Corinthians that he never should have had to do it.

i. Here’s why. They should have stuck up for him.

ii. Because he was their spiritual father, because he planted the seed of the gospel among them, they should have honoured him and defended him when his character and minister were being dragged through the mud.

1. And Paul lists the reasons why they should have defended him.

a. In his ministry to them, he held nothing back. Yes he preached the life changing message of the gospel.

i. He taught them what is of first importance – he writes in 1 Cor. 15:3-4.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1. He taught them that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…

a. And that he appeared to many people after his resurrection, including Paul himself.

iii. But not only did Paul preached that beautiful and powerful message – that message was accompanied by authenticating signs and wonders.

1. Signs to authenticate his message, wonders to evoke awe, and mighty works to manifest divine power.

a. Not only that, but Paul ministered with utmost patience. This word really means endurance…endurance of what you might ask???

i. Endurance through hardships, trials, pressure, persecution…which we have seen throughout the course of this study are the real and true signs of authentic Christian ministry.

iv. And even though all of that took place in their midst, the Corinthians still failed to defend Paul against his opponents.

1. So he was forced to boast – although when he did boast he did so about his weaknesses in order to highlight God’s strength.

c. So what can we learn from these 2 verses?

i. We’ll, I believe these verses remind us to honour our spiritual ancestors.

1. The Corinthians should have defended and honoured the man who first brought the gospel to them.

a. They should have commended Paul’s ministry – instead of forcing Paul to defend himself.

ii. And for us today, I think this passage reminds us to hold those who first presented the gospel to us in high regard.

1. Hold those who have had an impact on your spiritual life in a place of honour.

a. Don’t leave them floundering for themselves, but be their letter of commendation.

i. Whether it was a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, your parents, a professor…give them the honour and respect they deserve.

iii. It’s what the Corinthians failed to do for Paul, and it’s a lesson we should learn from their mistake.

3. Sacrifices – And in vv.13-18, Paul switches gears. He’s still writing about the authenticity of his ministry, but he now writes about the authenticating sacrifices he’s made on behalf of the Corinthians.

a. In these verses, we can really hear the anguish of Paul’s heart. After all the sacrifices he’s made for them…they still don’t stick up for him.

i. But I don’t want to focus too much on Paul’s heartache, because in these verses we also see Paul’s pastoral intent.

1. We see a level of sacrifice that is the hallmark of true Christian ministry.

a. There are 2 statements that I want to focus on.

b. The first statement is found in v.14 – I seek not what is yours but you.

i. This goes back to the contentious subject of Paul not taking compensation from the Corinthians.

1. It also combats something he writes about in vv.16-18.

a. Paul was accused basically of being a con man. He wanted the Corinthians to give towards the Jerusalem collection, but his opponents claimed that Paul was simply going to line his own pockets with that collection.

ii. However, that’s exactly what the false teachers in Corinth were doing. They were gouging the Corinthians – robbing them of their money.

1. So Paul, with what I can only assume is a firm stare fixed on his opponents writes, “I don’t what you stuff. Unlike these guys over here, I’m not interested in your money. I’m only interested in you. In your souls.

c. Unlike the interlopers in the Corinthian church Paul wasn’t interested in benefitting financially from them…

i. Paul was only interested in their spiritual well being and maturity. Those things are far more valuable that their money.

1. He’s not interested in benefitting financially from them, he doesn’t want them to support him…

i. He wants them to benefit from him. He wants to support them spiritually.

ii. And he uses the analogy of parents providing for their children. In most cases, there are always exceptions to this, but generally speaking, parents are the ones who go to work in order to provide for their children.

1. And since Paul sees the Corinthians as his spiritual children – he wants to do all he can to provide for them.

a. Paul isn’t returning to them to line his own pockets – he’s coming in order to help them mature and grow in their faith.

i. Paul sacrificed financial security, he worked with his hands, in order to help the Corinthians mature in their faith.

d. And if the statement about not wanting their money but their souls wasn’t a profound enough statement….

i. Paul makes this statement in v.15 – I will, and look at this world – gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

1. Spoken like a pastor. I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

a. In this sentence Paul sums up the self-sacrificing, others-focused perspective of a Christian ministry.

i. A perspective that models Jesus’s own example.

ii. The apostle spent himself for the Corinthians – sleepless night, tireless work, perilous travel…and he gladly did it for the sake of their souls.

1. He spent everything he had for the Corinthians – his resources and his energy.

a. Which resulted in impoverishment, poor health, premature aging and ultimately a martyr’s death.

e. But Paul’s life and ministry replicated Jesus’ life and ministry.

i. Back in 8:9, Paul wrote about Jesus – though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

1. Paul wasn’t a masochist, he didn’t willingly and happily inflict pain and suffering on himself, but did so in order to live and life model after the self-sacrificing life of Jesus.

f. True ministry – a true minister of the gospel – selflessly seeks the spiritual well being of others – and gladly spends energy and resources for the sake of others.

i. We live in a very selfish and materialistic world. We look out for ourselves and we always try to accumulate more stuff for ourselves.

1. We need this reminder today – spend and be spent for the sake of others – in order to win their soul for Jesus.

4. Fears – Next, I want to focus your attention on vv.20-21. In these verses Paul authenticates his ministry by listing the fears he has in regards to the spiritual health of the Corinthians.

a. The false teachers in Corinth tickled ears and entertained but they didn’t call the church to repentance or call them out on flagrant sin.

i. Paul did. And Paul feared that the Corinthians were falling into or continuing in sin that threatened the very existence of their church.

1. Now, its not known whether Paul is referring to specific incidents in Corinth or if this is simply a list of vices.

a. We do know that the Corinthian church had accepted and celebrated immorality in the past, and maybe that behaviour and attitude continued in Paul’s absence.

i. Paul, being genuinely concerned for their spiritual well-being addresses their sin.

b. Paul longs to see true and genuine repentance that leads to a change in action.

i. He fears, however, that sin is rampant and pervasive through the church.

1. This is why he writes the way he does in v.20.

a. What does it mean? If you’ll recall, Paul had been accused of being timid while in person, but bold in his letter writing.

ii. But because of the rampant and unrepented sin in Corinth, Paul wouldn’t be gentle and mild with them, he would be forced to be a disciplinarian.

1. Paul longs to find them maturing and growing, but if he finds them living in sin, he would be forced to call them out on their sin.

a. That’s what he means when he writes, I may not find you as I wish and you many not find me as you wish.

i. Paul was hoping for a peaceful and loving reuniting, but if they are continuing in sin, Paul would be for to confront it.

c. And finally this morning, I want to close by look at v.19 – why did I skip it? Because I wanted to finish on this note.

i. V. 19 is a purpose statement – a purpose statement for this foolish speech, but it could be a purpose statement for the whole letter.

1. It seems like for most of the letter Paul has been defending himself.

a. He defended his decision making process, his travel plans, the content of his ministry, his conduct as a minster.

i. And while it is true on some level that he is defending himself – Paul writes here that self defense isn’t the ultimate purpose of this letter.

ii. He doesn’t need to defend himself to people – because his words are spoken in God’s presence.

1. He doesn’t need to defend his ministry to people because he was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles by Jesus himself.

a. This letter isn’t a self-serving rant. Paul writes that everything he has write has been for the Corinthians upbuilding.

i. He wrote this letter so that his spiritual children would be built up in their faith.

b. Every part, even the defensive parts – had all been written with their good and spiritual health in mind.

5. Conclusion – Paul concluded his foolish speech by reminding the Corinthians of the signs, wonders and might acts that were done in their presence.

a. He reminds them of the sacrifices he made on their behalf.

i. He writes his heartfelt fears.

1. Paul didn’t have to authenticate his ministry to the Corinthians, but he did.

a. And he did it, so they would b built up in their faith, and continue to grow in the love for and knowledge of Jesus their Saviour.

i. That’s a subject we are going to return to next week.